Church celebrates early mortgage pay-off

Pastor Tim Roth and the congregation of Cornerstone United Methodist Church (UMC) will celebrate the recent pay-off their $1.8 million facility with a mortgage burning celebration at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 21. The original goal was to be paid off in 2017.

Cornerstone United Methodist Church is a conglomeration of five churches, Bigelow-Trinity, which became Wesley First, Franklin Avenue, and Findlay Street United Methodist Church. These five diverse congregations united in 2002 to form a congregation working together to fulfill what they believe is God’s plan for service in the Portsmouth area and beyond. The groundbreaking for the facility began in 2003 and was completed in 2005. The 37, 800 square foot building is equipped with a large sanctuary, 15 classrooms, a welcome center, and a full-sized gymnasium/family center.

Roth said the excitement began in October 2012 when the mortgage for the church building was paid in full.

“It’s so amazing to see a dream become a reality and have the building paid off years before anyone thought we would. It shows the perseverance and leadership of this great congregation,” Roth said.

Roth said Cornerstone worked against doubt and scrutiny, but were able to surmount each obstacle.

“The amazing thing about this Sunday is that many people said this was not possible in Portsmouth, Ohio,” Roth said.

He said the celebration is an illustration of what God can do in and through a united body of people.

“We are celebrating this weekend that with God all things are possible. I’m personally really looking forward to hearing the story of how Ed Groff and Dillon Staas, 15 years ago over a cup of coffee, started to dream of all the Methodist churches in Portsmouth merged into one large church to serve the community,” Roth said.

He said it was these types of dreams that have brought new projects and activities into fruition for their church to serve the community.

“We see the fruit of this dream today with Cornerstone able to offer Upwards basketball, Boy Scouts, the Knost Music workshop and any other opportunities to serve Portsmouth,” Roth said.

The service is set to begin at 10 a.m. with the mortgage burning at 11: 30 a.m. Lunch will take place immediately following the service for the congregation and guests in attendance.

Portia Williams may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 286 or portiawilliams@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Portia on Twitter @ PortiaWillPDT

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